Photographic processing apparatus employing delayed action expandable sponge

ABSTRACT

A photographic film cassette having a processing station configured to dispense processing fluid to a film strip following the exposure of the same. The processing station includes a first compartment adapted to receive a container which contains a quantity of processing fluid which is released into a second compartment of the station after a given operation of the film cassette. From the second compartment the processing fluid is passed through a nozzle and dispensed to the film strip. Positioned adjacent a wall portion of the first and second compartments is a compressed sponge material which is so located as to contact the processing fluid during the dispensing of the fluid to the film strip. The sponge material is impregnated with a chemical which delays the expansion of the sponge material a sufficient time for film processing to be completed. After this delay, however, the sponge is released for expansion and allowed to absorb the remaining processing fluid within the first and second compartments and subsequently, provide an excellent sealing arrangement within the processing station for sealing the area surrounding the nozzle.

United States Patent [191 Lippert et al.

[ PHOTOGRAPHIC PROCESSING APPARATUS EMPLOYING DELAYED ACTION EXPANDABLESPONGE [75] Inventors: Irving S. Lippert, Lexington; Joseph A. Stella,West Peabody, both of Mass.

[73] Assignee: Polaroid Corporation, Cambridge,

Mass.

[22] Filed: Nov. 19, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 416,763

[52] US. Cl. 354/317; 222/559; 352/130;

[51] Int. Cl. G03d 5/00 [58] Field of Search 222/559, 561; 352/130;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,767,297 10/1973 Downey352/130 3,772,975 11/1973 Batter et al. 222/559 X 3,778,140 12/1973 Land352/130 3,785,725 l/l974 Batter et al. 352/130 X May 6, 1975 Aphotographic film cassette having a processing station configured todispense processing fluid to a film strip following the exposure of thesame. The processing station includes a first compartment adapted toreceive a container which contains a quantity of processing fluid whichis released into a second compartment of the station after a givenoperation of the film cassette. From the second compartment theprocessing fluid is passed through a nozzle and dispensed to the filmstrip. Positioned adjacent a wall portion of the first and secondcompartments is a compressed sponge material which is so located as tocontact the processing fluid during the dispensing of the fluid to thefilm strip. The sponge material is impregnated with a chemical whichdelays the expansion of the sponge material a sufficient time for filmprocessing to be completed. After this delay, however, the sponge isreleased for expansion and allowed to absorb the remaining processingfluid within the first and second compartments and subsequently, providean excellent sealing arrangement within the processing station forsealing the area surrounding the nozzle.

18 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENIED MY 6 ms SHEET 15? a MWM WMR r XPATENIEB HAY 6 I975 SHEET 2 0F 4 FIG.4

PATENTEDHAY 61975 3' 882.526

SHEET 30? 4 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention Thisinvention relates to photographic film cassettes and more particularly,to a multipurpose film handling cassette having an improved filmprocessing station.

2.. Description of the Prior Art The present application is addressed tophotographic film cassettes from which the film strip need not beremoved during the exposure, processing and projection operations.Exemplary of such systems, are those described in US. Pat. No. 3,615,127of Edwin H. Land issued Oct. 26, 1971: and Pat. No. 3,641,896 of RogersB. Downey issued Feb. 15, 1972. Each of the systems described in theaforementioned patents employ a photographic film cassette whichincludes a processing station through which processing fluid may beapplied to a film strip following its exposure. The processing fluid isinitially stored within the cassette in a dispensing container fromwhich it may be released through a nozzle onto the exposed film strip asthe latter is transported thereacross.

Following application of the processing fluid to the 'film strip, it isimportant to effectively control further flow of the fluid from theapplication system in order to preventimpairment of the film strip.Hence, in the above-noted U.S. Pat. No. 3,641,896 a closure member isdisplaced across the nozzle once the application of the fluid iscompleted. Similarly, the cassette system described in the commonlyassigned US. Pat. No.

3,785,725 of John F. Batter, Jr., et,al., filed Feb. 17.

1972, which provides substantially automatic processing of the film inresponse to appropriate transport of the latter within the cassette,employs a valve-like closure member configured for displacement intoblocking position across the processor nozzle following treatment of thefilm.

Exemplary of one manner of achieving a suitable seal for the nozzlesurface is that shown in US. Pat. No. 3,772,975 ofJohn F. Batter, Jr.,et al. As described and claimed in the above-noted patent, a thinsurface coating is formed on the movable valve and is displaced intoContact with the nozzle to seal the processor nozzle and surroundingarea. Additionally, an alternate manner of sealing the nozzle andsurrounding area is described and claimed in a copending application forUS. Pat. Ser. No. 416,762, entitled Compressed Open Cell Foam NozzleSealing Assembly by Joseph A. Stella and Irving S. Lippert filedsimultaneously and assigned in common herewith. As described therein, acompressed open cell foam material saturated with a coagulant is locatedon the movable valve and is displaced into contact with the nozzle areasubsequent to processing. Upon contacting the processing fluid, the foamis selectively expanded releasing the coagulant for sealing the nozzleand its surrounding area. While the present invention is intended to beemployed in combination with the invention described in the above-notedapplication, it is to be understood that it may also be utilized alone.

Consequently, an important object of this invention is to provide animproved system for applying a processing fluid to a strip of exposedphotographic mate rial.

Another primary object of this invention is to provide a film cassettehaving a fluid applicator system including an improved relativelyinexpensive and extremely effective means for selectively sealing thelatter followingits operation.

A further object of this invention is to provide a film handlingcassette having a fluid applicator system including a compressed spongematerial selectively expandable for sealing the fluid applicator systemsubsequent to application of the fluid to the film for development.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION tioned adjacent to and connected with the firstcompartment is a second compartment or chamber into which the processingfluid is passed as processing of the film is commenced. The secondcompartment includes a nozzle orifice formed therein through which theprocessing liquid is applied to the film strip. Positioned within selectportions of both the first and second compartments is a piece ofcompressed sponge material. The compressed sponge is formed of amaterial configured to expand l020 times upon contact with theprocessing fluid once it is released to the second compartment and thenozzle orifice, the sponge being isolated from the processing fluid inthe pod in the first compartment prior to processing.

As described in the illustrated embodiment, the processing fluid isreleased from the pod and is passed into the second compartment as theprocessing operation commences. From the second compartment theprocessing fluid is applied to the film strip through the nozzle openinglocated therein. The sponge material, is in part, positioned within thesecond compartment such that the processing fluid contacts the spongematerial as it is passed through the nozzle opening. In order to permitsufficient processing fluid to pass by the sponge material and contactthe film strip without being first absorbed by the sponge, the lattercontains a chemical which delays the interaction between the sponge andthe processing fluid. The specific chemical used and its employment withthe sponge material is described and claimed in a copending applicationfor US. Patent enti tled Alkali Hydrolyzable Polymeric MaterialsPreventing Sponge Expansion" Ser. No. 416,764 by Charles I. Sullivanfiled simultaneously herewith. Specifically, the sponge is impregnatedwith a chemical which isolates the sponge from expanding and absorbinguntil sufficient time has passed for film processing to occur. At thatpoint, the delaying chemical is counteracted. thereby releasing thesponge for expansion fully within the second compartment and nozzleorifice to absorb any excess processing fluid and provide a sealproximate the nozzle opening. Additionally, the excess fluid in thesponge in the second compartment is partially absorbed by that portionof the sponge located within the first compartment due to the spongeacting asa wick, between the second and first compartment.

BR F DESCRIPTION OF T E DRAWINGS The novel featuresthat are consideredcharacteristic of the invention are set forth with particularity in theappended claims. Theinvention itself, however, both as to its'structureand its operation togetherwith the additional objects and advantagesthereof will best be un- FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of amotionpicture film handling cassette embodying theinvention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary plan view of the film strip em- 7 ployed in thecassette shown in-FIG. l; :FIG. 3 is a plan view'of'the coating nozzlewhich forms a part of the cassette shown in FIG. 1;

, cific portions of the apparatus of FIG. 1; 1 g FIG; 7 is an explodedperspective view of the appara= tus shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8is a plan view of portions of the apparatus of FIG. 1;:

FIG. 9 is a partial sectional view of the apparatus of F IG. 8 takenthrough the line 9- 9 during one stage of operation of the apparatus ofFIG. l;.and"

' FIG 10 is a partial sectional view of the apparatus of Y FIG. 8 takenthrough the line 9 -9 during another stage of operation of the apparatusof FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFE RED I EMBODIMENT I The'illustratedembodiment ofthis invention, which may be best understood byfirst referringto FIG. 1of :the drawings, employs a 'multi-purpose film handling cassette 10 ofthe type described in the above- -mentioned copending patent applicationSer. No. 416,762. The cassette l'0'is configured for substantiallyautomatic processing of the film strip responsive toappropriate-transport of the latter. In this regard, the cassette of theillustrated-embodiment includes-an applicator system, explained indetail below, which 'is operable in accordance with a particular filmtransport program controlled by a special projector. It should be under-.stood, however, that while the invention disclosed herein isparticularly applicable to the cassette of the type described inthejcopending application it is none- I stricted to the same and may, ofcourse, be applicable 1 to' any multi-purpose'film cassette.

Asshown in F IG. l, the cassette 10 comprises a genjerallyparallelepiped'casing or housing 12 constituted byplanar faces or sidewalls 14 and 16, end walls 18 and 20, and elongated top and bottom edgewalls 22 within the'housing l2 in an extended'path around suitablerollers generally designated at 30, 32 and 34 to a take-up spoolori'reel 36 to whichthe opposite end of the film is attached. lnits pathwithin' the housing 12,

and 24. Carried within the housing 12 is a photographic ,filrn strip'26which is permanently attached at one of its ends, at later explained inregard to FIG. 2, to a rotatable supply spool or reel 28 from which itextends thefilm 26. extends'across anormally inoperative film processingstation 38,v explained in detail below, and

across an opening 40 which functions at different times" to facilitateboth exposure and projection. For facilitating the latter operation,'aprism 42 is mounted behind the film strip 26 in an adjoining relation toboth the" opening 40 and to an illumination aperture (not;

shown) of the side wall 14. For a further-understanding of the natureand operation of prism 42, reference should be made mus, Pat. No.3,807,842 of Philip G;

Baker. H i V v In order to fully understand the operation of thecassette 10, it is advantageous'to look at the strip 26 which 1 isutilized therein and is illustrated in FIG. 2 as viewed from the outerside of the film as shown in FIG. 1. Pref-' erably, the film strip 26comprises a base of any suit 7 able transparent material carrying, atleast over a photographically useful length 44, an emulsion or photo- Isensitive coating of any conventional variety as, for example, anemulsion capable of being developed by a monobath processing compositiontoform apositivel" transparency suitable for projection..A currently preQ ferred embodiment of the invention'makes use of a film I structure,which, upon'the base, comprises a.photosen-. sitive layer including botha photosensitive negative emulsion and an'image-receivin'g layer towhich a-positive image may be transferred by diffusion duririgde;velopment without necessitating the subsequ'ehtre movalof the emulsioncontaining its developed negag I tive image. This highly desirablefeature is made possible by a developed negative image having lowcovering power.

A composite film assembly of this type, as well as processingcompositions for producing a fully dev'el oped black and white imagewithout the necessity of' removing the developed negative image afterprocessing is shown in prior US. Pat. NO. 2,861,885 to Edwin H. Land,which issued on Nov. 25, l 8for Photographic Processes and Products."Other composite. film assemblies capable of producing developed fullcolor images without the necessity of removing therdeveloped emulsionare shown in prior U.S. Pats. of Edwin H. Land, Nos. 2,726,l54,issuedDec. 6, 1955 for Pho-- tographic Product, and 2,944,894, issued July 12,

1960 for Photographic Process Utilizing Screen 7 Members. I

As shown in FIG. 2, the strip 26includes a leader 46 I are configuredfor cooperation with a drive pawl (not shown) in either a camera orprojector for incremental a advancement of the film. Adjacent thetrailing end 50, the series of sprocket holes 54 are interrupted by'afirst elongated sprocket hole 56 which may forexample,

span two of the sprocket holes 54. Further, along'the film in thedirection of the supply reel end, the series of sprocket holes 54 isagain interrupted by a second elongated hole 58, longer. than thesprocket. hole 56, and for example, spanning three of the sprocket holes54. 7

As described in the aforementioned copending paten-t application, thefirst elongated sprocket hole 56 terminates the advance of the film inthe camera (not shown) and thereby establishes an exposure end point,

' whereas the second sprocket hole 58 determines a film take-up orprojection end point in the projector apparatus (not shown). Thesedifferent termination points are employed since it is preferred toadvance the film beyond the exposure end point before applyingprocessing composition to the exposed film, and for that purpose, adouble film drive pawl (not shown) such I that the film may be carriedbeyond the first elongated also forming a part of the processing station38.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the film processing station 38 generallycomprises a housing 64 having a first compartment portion 66 whichretains a prepackaged tublike container 68 of processing fluid. Whenproperly assembled within housing 64, tub-like container 68 forms asecond compartment or chamber 70 which cooperates with a coating nozzlegenerally designated at 72. The processing fluid 73 contained withincontainer 68, which may, for example, be an aqueous alkaline solutionsuch as is described in the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 2,861,885, isinitially retained within the tublike receptacle 68 by means of a teartab 74. The tear tab 74 extends about the upper portion of compartment66 and through a slot 80 formed in an outer upper wall portion 82 of thehousing 64. The tear tab 74 extends from the housing 64 to an actuatingassembly generally designated at 84. The latter, as described in theaforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 3,785,725 extends beneath the supply spool28 to a hook-like end member 86 which is releasably latched to anupright post 88 and in engagement with a cam member 90. As will be notedin more detail below, upon insertion of the cassette into the projector(not shown) the cam 90 is appropriately displaced by a cassettelatchingshaft (not shown) of the projector to drive the hook 86 from the post 88and into engagement with one of the four teeth 92 of the supply spool 28under the urging of a spring (not shown). Then upon subsequent rotationof the spool in the rewind direction shown by the arrow in FIG. 1, theactuating assembly 84 is similarly rotated to tear the tab 74 fromcovering relationship with the tub-like container 68 andthereby releasesits fluid 73 to the nozzle 72.

Located beneath the exterior surface 94 of the nozzle 72 is a pressurepad assembly 96, which is shown in FIG. 1 in the initial positionassumed upon assembly of the cassette and prior to processing. As shownin FIG. 5, the film strip 26 normally passes between the nozzle surface94 and the pad assembly 96. The latter is mounted on and biased towardsthe nozzle surface 94 by a leaf spring 98, and one end 100 of theassembly 96 is configured to engage the base of the film 26 so as tocooperate with a protuberance 60 of the trailing end thereof as will beexplained below. For a fuller and more detailed description of thepressure pad assembly and its operation, reference should be madegenerally 6 to the above-noted U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,641,896 and 3,772,975.

As is shown more clearly in FIGS. 3 and 4, nozzle 72 generally includesan orifice or nozzle opening 106 through which fluid is passed fromsecond chamber 70 to film strip 26 during processing. The opening 106 isenclosed by a U-shaped film engaging land or surface portion 108 and adoctor blade surface 110. The doctor blade surface 110 is slightlydepressed, for example, up to 0.001 of an inch, below the substantiallyplanar surface portion 108 and selectively control the thickness of theprocessing fluid applied during the processing operation. The bladesurface 110, in conjunction with portions of the U-shaped surface 108,form the perimeter of the orifice 106 and are appropriately sealedfollowing treatment of substantially the complete length of the filmstrip 26. The nozzle 72 is provided at its sides with depending posts114 and 116 which provide guidance for the film strip 26 in its pathpast the orifice 106 and also serve as stops for the sealing memberwhich is described below.

Displaceably mounted in adjoining relation to the other end 118 of thepressure pad assembly 96 is a sealing member or wedge-like slide-valve120 which is shown and described in greater detail in the abovenotedU.S. Pat. No. 3,772,975. As described therein, the valve 120 includes asubstantially planar valve plate 122 formed at one end 123 with taperingsides which serve to guide the plate into a juxtaposed relation beneaththe nozzle opening 106 as the plate is moved from left to right as seenin FIG. 1. When in that position, a pair of shoulders (not shown)cooperate with the stop posts 114 and 116 to stop the valve 120 in itsclosed position. Additionally provided on valve plate 122 is a foammaterial 124, the purpose of which will be discussed below.

Carried on either side of the valve plate 122 are depending orthogonalextensions forming a pair of depending cams 126 and 128, respectively,which serve to depress the pressure pad assembly 96 away from filmengagement as will be subsequently explained in regards to operation ofthe cassette. As shown, the cam 126 is shorter than the cam 128 in orderto facilitate threading of the film strip 26 during assembly of thecassette l0. Toward the left end of the plate 122, the cam 128 forms anarm portion 130 extending substantially parallel to the plate.lntegrally formed with the arm 130 is a spring arm extension 132 whichengages the film 26 and is adapted to cooperate with the film aperture62 of its trailing end so as to thereby displace the slide-valve 120into its closed position at the completion of the initial rewind aslater explained with regards to the operation of the cassette.

Carried on the valve plate 122 in proper position for cooperation withthe nozzle surfaces bounding the opening 106 is a piece of sealingmaterial 124, configured for providing a contiguous, perimetric contactaround and partially within the openings following displacement of thevalve 120 to its closed position shown in which the valve 120 is movedto the right of its position in FIG. 5. In a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, the sealing material 124 is a compressed open cellfoam material saturated with a coagulating chemical. For a fullerunderstanding of the specific nature of sealing material 124, referenceshould be made to a copending application for U.S. Pat. entitledCompressed Open Cell Foam Nozzle Sealing Assembly by "While the'foammaterial 124 Joseph A. Stella and Irving s. Lippert, Ser. No. 416,762

filed simultaneously and assigned in common herewith.

When the slide valve l20 is moved to its nozzle closure positionsubsequent to processing, the open cell foam comes i'n'contact with theremaining developer.

The developer reacts with the coagulating chemical causing it to releasethe foam material for expansion,

and"consequently, for absorption. When in position, the compressed opencell foam 124 begins toabsorb the excess processing fluid in an areaadjacent'to the I nozzle opening 106.As the foam'124 beings to absorb,

it expands and releases more of the coagulating chemical with which ithasbeen saturated. The coagulating chemical reacts with the processingfluid, thickening it within the foam material 124 and minimizing furtherpenetration of the processing fluid into the foam mate- 'rial 124. The:employment of the coagulating chemical to saturate the foam materialresults in the formation of a seal (not shown) at the'top of theexpanded foam atthe nozzle opening 106 due to the chemical'interactionbetween the coagulating chemical and the processing fluid.'This sealforms a hard relatively impenetrable bond at thenozzleopenings forpreventing leakage of any excess processing fluid from the filmprocessing station.

provides an excellent seal for the exterior of the nozzle opening, it isnot spe cificallyconcerned with the absorption of any excess 1processing fluid with the first and second compartments 66 and70,-'respectively of processing housing 64.

In particular.- the processing fluid, which may be an aqueous alkalinesolution, is configured having a relatively high visco'sityresulting ina relatively slow rate of flow of the fluid on the interior wallportions of tub-like container 68 and compartments 66 and 70 after mostof the fluid has been applied to the film strip 25. Ac-

7 cordinglygan excess amount of processing fluid may be trapped withinthe first and second compartmentsonce the foam material 124 has sealedthe nozzleorifice 106.

The entrapment of a quantity of processing fluid within theprocessingstation subsequent to processing completion isobviouslyundesirable in a film handling cassette of the present-embodiment. Itistherefore importantto remove the possibility of this excess fluidbeing present and escaping from the processing station subsequent tosealing by foam material 124.

The relevant portion of processing station 38 is shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and8. As previously noted, processing station 38 generally includes ahousing 64 having" a generally triangular cross-sectional shape. A firstcompartment 66 isiprovid edin the right side of'housing 674 foraccepting the tub-like processing fluid container 68. Container 68retains a sufficient quantity of processing fluid to insure the propercoating of the entire --length of filmstrip 26 without being depleted.When container 68 is properly positioned within housing 64 there isformed'a second generally triangularly shaped compartment 70.One side ofcompartment 70 is de- Ffined by a substantially vertical wall portion146, the other side by the front wall 136 of container 68 while thebottom is defined bythe nozzle opening 106 and the general perimetalsurrounding area 138 (see FIG.

/ '7). The tear tab 74 of containerJ68 retains the processing fluidwithin container 68 untilprocessing is about to commence. Tear tab 74coversan aperture 140 7 formed in container 68 through which theprocessing fluid 73 is passed from container 68 to the second com- 8partment 70 and consequently. to the coating nozzle Positioned inoverlying relationship'with substantial portions of the interiorofhousing 64 is a generally "J" shaped sheet of compressed open cellcellulosic sponge material 142. Sponge material 142 overlies first andsecond compartments66 and 70 and processing fluid container 68 and isretained in place'by a cover plate 144. A long portion 156 of sponge 142overlies container 68 while a short hooked portion l58'partially.

overlies second compartment 70. Cover plate 144 is attached to the top146 of the side walls of housing 64 by any suitable means. In apreferred embodiment of the present inventionthis is achieved byultrasonic'weld- 7 ing, but any conventional plastic to plastic adhesive8 would be suitable. Cover plate 144, as seen in FIG. 7,

is guided to the housing 64 by two pins 148 and 150 Y which cooperatewith two suitably sized holes 152 and Sponge material 142 isapproximately 0.030 inches thick when fully compressed (See FIG. 7).However. it retains the capability of expanding between l0 and 20 timeswhen'the spongematerial is in contactand reacts with the processingfluid. Since processing housing 64 has a depth of approximately 0.420inches. sponge. material 142 has the expansion capability oftotally'filling the portions of both the first and second compartments66 and 70, respectively which are not occupied by processing fluidcontainer 68 (See FIG. 10).

The placement of sponge material 142 withinthe' interior ofprocessing'station housing 64, and in particular. within first andsecond compartments 66 and 70,

places portion 158 of the sponge material 142 in direct contact with theprocessing fluid 73 at the commencemerit of film processing. The totaltime of application of the processing fluid to the film strip isapproximately 10 seconds in a preferred embodimentof the film handlingcassette. Accordingly, the start of expansion and absorption of thesponge material 142 should be'de layed at least an equal amount of timein order to allow sufficient processing fluid to be applied to the filmstrip. If such a time delay were not incorporated within sponge material142, the possibility would exist that it would begin to expand andtherefore start to absorb enough processing fluid to deplete the'minimumquantity necessary'for proper film development. Additionally,- spongeexpansion would block off the nozzle opening 106 and prevent processingcompletion. ln. 7 order to provide for a time delay of sufficientquantity 1 prised of cyanoethyl acrylate, butyl acrylate. methylmethac'rylate. and. 2 -sulfoethyl methacrylate or hydroxy propylmethacrylate. butyl acrylate, methyl -methacrylate, and 2-sulfoethylmethacrylateA more detailed description of the specific polymersemployed to impregnate sponge material 124 may be had by referring to acopending application for US. Pat. entitled Alkali HydrolyzalbePolymeric Materials Preventing Sponge Expansionl' Ser. No. 416,764 byCharles l. Sul- 154, respectively, formed in the side wallsofhousinglivan, filed simultaneously and assigned in common herewith.

To enable a more complete understanding of the novel unit, the overalloperation of the system will now be explained. As previously indicated,upon insertion of the cassette 10 into a projector (not shown) followingexposure of its film, a latching-shaft (not shown) enters the cassetteand depresses the cam 90 thereby releasing the pod actuating assembly 84into spool engagement. Then, the film 26 is driven slightly furtherforward by the double claw (not shown) so as to bring the filmprotuberance 60 into contact with the end 100 of the pad assembly 96 andthereby displace the latter to the left from its initial position shownin FIG. 1. This permits the pad 96 to spring upwardly to its operativeposition (not shown) under the urging of the spring 98 and thereby carrythe emulsion side of the film strip 26 into coating engagement with thenozzle 106. Thereafter, upon initiation of film rewind, and hence,clockwise rotation of the film spool 28, the tab 74 is torn from theprocessing fluid container 68 so as to release the fluid 73 containedtherein. The latter flows past sponge material 142 to the nozzle opening106 and through it to the film strip 26 such that a thin layer ofprocessing fluid is deposited on the film during the rewind operation.Sponge material 142 is contacted by the processing fluid at thecommencement of this operation and the reaction between the polymerimpregnated within the sponge and the processing fluid begins. Thisreaction will continue for approximately 10 seconds before spongematerial 142 is released by the polymeric bond for expansion andabsorption of the excess processing fluid trapped within the processingstation housing 64. When the film strip 26 is substantially completelyrewound onto the supply reel 28, the aperture 62 engages the arm 130 ofthe valve 120 and displaces the latter to the right as shown in FIG. 1and across the nozzle opening 106 to its closed position.

Upon reaching its sealing location wherein its de pending posts 114 and116 are positioned against shoulders (not shown) formed on the valveplate, the valve foam material 124 is brought into contact withremaining portions of the fluid 73 in the area of the orifice 106 andappropriately interact with the latter to soften, partially release itscoagulating material, and expand so as to fill any voids existingbetween the valve plate 122 and the nozzle surfaces 94, 108 and 110. Asshown more clearly in the copending application Ser. No. 416,762, thefoam material 124 fills the depression provided by the doctor bladesurface 110 and prevents any further escape of fluid at this point,thereby trapping any excess fluid within the processing station housing64. Sufficient coagulating material is released by the interaction ofthe foam material with the processing fluid to form a miniscus shapedseal (not shown) within the nozzle orifice which cements the two whendried.

As previously mentioned, sponge material 142 is contacted by theprocessing fluid at the start of the pro cessing operation. Inparticular, short portion 158 of sponge 142 is adjacent opening 140 ofcontainer 68 and nozzle opening 106. Accordingly, contact is initiallymade between sponge 142 and processing fluid 73 at the beginning ofprocessing. Short portion 158 remains in its compressed state due to thepolymer impregnation previously discussed. The reaction time requiredfor the polymer to be broken down sufficiently to permit short portion158 of sponge 142 to begin to expand is approximately equal to theperiod of application of the processing fluid to the filmstrip 26. Theshort portion 158 of sponge 142 ideally begins to expand subsequent tocomplete fluid application and movement of the slide valve and foammaterial 124 into covering relationship with nozzle opening 106. Sincethe exact reaction period required to break the polymeric bonds is notprecisely predictable, the reaction time requirements are set atapproximately I l25 seconds. The exact time of expansion of spongematerial 142 is not exactly required as foam material 124 is in acovering relationship with nozzle opening 106 prior to expansion ofsponge 142.

Subsequent to the polymeric bond break described above, short portion158 of sponge 142 expands and absorbs excess processing fluid remainingin the proximity of the nozzle and second compartment 70. The longportion 156 of the sponge does not begin to absorb processing fluidbecause it is not in contact with the fluid. However, long portion 156,does absorb an appreciable amount of the processing fluid containedwithin the short portion 158 of sponge 142 within a relatively shorttime after sponge expansion. This is due to a wicking function performedby long portion 156. Specifically, long portion 156, contained betweenprocessing fluid container 68 and cover plate 144, remains in anunexpanded state while the short portion 158 absorbs excess fluidtrapped near the nozzle opening 106. As short portion 158 absorbs asufficient amount of excess fluid it begins to transfer the fluid intothe lower portion of long portion 156. While this transfer is delayed bythe polymeric impregnation present throughout sponge 142, the longportion 156 does finally absorb an amount of fluid from portion 158 andexpands to fill available space thereby providing a more uniformabsorption of the fluid throughout the sponge 142.

It will be seen that by this invention there is provided an improvedphotographic cassette and fluid applicator which efficiently treatsphotographic film following its exposure; and includes compressed opencell sponge means for effectively absorbing excess processing fluidwithin the fluid applicator upon completion of the processing operationand immobilizing the excess fluid thereby preventing unwanted fluidmovement.

This invention may be practiced or embodied in still other ways withoutdeparting from the spirit or essential character thereof. The preferredembodiments described herein are therefore illustrative and notrestrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appendedclaims and all variations which come within the meaning of the claimsare intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed is:

1. A film handling cassette comprising:

a housing configured to retain a strip of photographic processing meansincluding an applicator configured to receive means for retaining aquantity of processing fluid to be selectively applied to such a stripof photographic film subsequent to its exposure to process such film;and

absorption means positioned relative to said applicator so as todirectly contact said processing fluid and means associated with saidabsorption means to prevent it from absorbing said processing fluid v r1 1 I 1 during the application of said processing fluid to'such'filmyand to,permit said absorption means to absorb processingfluid remaining subsequent to said' application. I I 2'. A film handlingcassette comprising: ahousing'co'ntaining a str'ipof photographic film;

I I 1 processing means including an applicator configured '1 film; and

' absorbing meanspositioned in the path' of application a of suchprocessing fluid during the selective applir cation of such processingfluid tosuchst'rip of photographic material and configured to absorbexcess I v I processingfluid only subsequent to the completion I of theselective application of such processing'fluid 1 10 such s'tripofphotographic film, said absorbing I I "means including means fordelayingsaid absorbing ,i-rneans from absorbing such processing fluid duringthe-application of'such processing fluid'to such strip of photographicfilm.

' 7 2 The film handling cassette of claim 2 in which said I I absorbingmeans is a. compressed open cell sponge.

.- I. 4.IThe filrn handling cassette of claim 3 in which said delayingmeans is configured to provide adelayed reaction time of absorptionofsaid compressed open cell I sponge equal to or greater than the timedifference between initial contact of said sponge with said process-.ingsfluid and the time of initial absorption of such pro- I cessingfluid. by said sponge, said delayed reaction time beingofIa quantityatleast substantially equal to 'or 'i 'se'lective application of suchprocessing fluid tosuch strip,ofphotographicfilm. I

delaying means is a delay chemical, said compressed .said sponge.

delay chemical is apolymer.

{andisconfigured to'e'xpand into substantial portionsof said processingmeans and to absorb processing fluid SLThe film handling cassette ofclaim 4'in which said 6; Thefilm handling cassette of claim 5 in whichsaid r remai'ning'within saidfprocessing means subsequent to greaterthan the'timenecessary for completion of such open' cells p'onge beingimpregnated with said delay I .Tfchemical which "causessaiddelayedreaction time of i t",7.'."lh'e filmfhandling cassette of claim 2 inwhich said absorbing means is positioned within said applicator,

i "such selective. application of such processing fluid to I isuch-strip of photographic film, said absorbing means being configuredto expand into fluid blocking associafrom passing through saiddispensing opening. I

I 8. The film handling cassette of claim 2 inwhich said appIicatorJ isconfigur ed having a first compartment configured to receive said meansfor retaining such quantity.ofprocessing fluid and'a second compartmentinto which. such quantity of processing fluid is passed cation of suchprocessing-fluid to such strip of photo- 'graphic film, said dispensingopening being located within said second compartment, said absorbingmeans tion with said dispensing opening for preventing fluid" i Fbein gpositioned in overlying-relationship with portions from said retainingmeans at the initiation of the appli- I of both said second compartmentand said retaining means and being configured to expand into portions ofsaid first and second compartments subsequent to such selectiveapplication of such processing fluid to such strip of photographic filmto absorb processing fluid remaining within said first and-secondcompartments.

9. The film handling cassette of claim 8 in which said absorbing meansis configured so as to contact such processing fluid within said secondcompartment prior to making contact with such fluid withinsaid firstcompartment, such remaining processing fluid absorbed by said absorbingmeans expanded within said second compartment being partiallytransferred'tosaid absorbing means overlying said retaining means. bythe pro- I cess of capillary attraction.

' panded within said second compartment subsequent to thetermination ofsaid fluid application.

11. A film handling'cassette comprising: a housing configured to retaina strip of photographic film;

film processing means including an applicator configsaid expansion meansbeing configured to expand into blocking association with said meansdefining w an opening, and expansion delay means associated with saidexpansion means for delaying the expansion of said expansion means atleastuntil the termination of such fluid application to prevent theprocessing fluid from passing through said opening defining meanssubsequent to said fluid application.

12. The film handling cassette of claim 11 in which.

said applicator is configured having a first compartment configured toreceive said meansfor retaining such quantity of processing fluid and asecond compartment in which said opening defining means is located andinto which such quantity of processing fluid is passed from saidretaining means at the initiation of such processing fluid application,said expansion means being located within select portions of said secondI compartmentand being configured to expand into said second compartmentand into blocking association with said opening defining meanssubsequent to such processing fluid application. F

13. The film handling cassette ofclaim 12 in which said expansion meansis further configured to expand into said second compartment and toabsorb any excess processing fluid remaining in said second compartmentsubsequent to the termination of such processing fluid application.

14. The film handling cassette of claim l3 in which said expansion delaymeans is a chemical impregnated in said expansion means.

15. The film handling cassette of claim 14 in which said expansion meansis an open cell compressed sponge.

16; A film handling cassette comprising:

a housing containing a strip of photographic film;

processing means including an applicator configured to receive means forretaining a quantity of processing fluid to be selectively applied tosuch strip of photographic film subsequent to its exposure, saidapplicator including means defining a dispensing opening through whichsuch processing fluid is applied to such strip of photographic film,such processing fluid being applied from said retaining means throughsaid dispensing opening to such film;

absorbing means positioned in the path of application of such processingfluid and configured to absorb excess processing fluid subsequent to thecompletion of the selective application of such processing fluid to suchstrip of photographic film, said absorbing means including means fordelaying said 14 absorbing means for absorbing such processing fluidduring the application of such processing fluid to such strip ofphotographic film in which said absorbing means is configured andpositioned relative to said path of application of such processing fluidsuch that a portion of said absorbing means is in direct contact withsuch processing fluid during such selective application of suchprocessing fluid to such strip of photographic film, said delaying meansproviding a time delay to the absorption of said absorbing means equalto at least the time between the initial contact of said absorbing meanswith such processing fluid and the termination of such selectiveapplication of such processing fluid. 17. The film handling cassette ofclaim 16 in which said delaying means is a chemical impregnated withinsaid absorbing means, said chemical having a reaction time with suchprocessing fluid at least substantially equal to or greater than thetime necessary to selectively apply such processing fluid to such stripof photographic film.

18. The film handling cassette of claim 17 in which said chemical is apolymer.

1. A film handling cassette comPrising: a housing configured to retain astrip of photographic film; processing means including an applicatorconfigured to receive means for retaining a quantity of processing fluidto be selectively applied to such a strip of photographic filmsubsequent to its exposure to process such film; and absorption meanspositioned relative to said applicator so as to directly contact saidprocessing fluid and means associated with said absorption means toprevent it from absorbing said processing fluid during the applicationof said processing fluid to such film, and to permit said absorptionmeans to absorb processing fluid remaining subsequent to saidapplication.
 2. A film handling cassette comprising: a housingcontaining a strip of photographic film; processing means including anapplicator configured to receive means for retaining a quantity ofprocessing fluid to be selectively applied to such strip of photographicfilm subsequent to its exposure, said applicator including meansdefining a dispensing opening through which such processing fluid isapplied to such strip of photographic film, such processing fluid beingapplied from said retaining means through said dispensing opening tosuch film; and absorbing means positioned in the path of application ofsuch processing fluid during the selective application of suchprocessing fluid to such strip of photographic material and configuredto absorb excess processing fluid only subsequent to the completion ofthe selective application of such processing fluid to such strip ofphotographic film, said absorbing means including means for delayingsaid absorbing means from absorbing such processing fluid during theapplication of such processing fluid to such strip of photographic film.3. The film handling cassette of claim 2 in which said absorbing meansis a compressed open cell sponge.
 4. The film handling cassette of claim3 in which said delaying means is configured to provide a delayedreaction time of absorption of said compressed open cell sponge equal toor greater than the time difference between initial contact of saidsponge with said processing fluid and the time of initial absorption ofsuch processing fluid by said sponge, said delayed reaction time beingof a quantity at least substantially equal to or greater than the timenecessary for completion of such selective application of suchprocessing fluid to such strip of photographic film.
 5. The filmhandling cassette of claim 4 in which said delaying means is a delaychemical, said compressed open cell sponge being impregnated with saiddelay chemical which causes said delayed reaction time of said sponge.6. The film handling cassette of claim 5 in which said delay chemical isa polymer.
 7. The film handling cassette of claim 2 in which saidabsorbing means is positioned within said applicator and is configuredto expand into substantial portions of said processing means and toabsorb processing fluid remaining within said processing meanssubsequent to such selective application of such processing fluid tosuch strip of photographic film, said absorbing means being configuredto expand into fluid blocking association with said dispensing openingfor preventing fluid from passing through said dispensing opening. 8.The film handling cassette of claim 2 in which said applicator isconfigured having a first compartment configured to receive said meansfor retaining such quantity of processing fluid and a second compartmentinto which such quantity of processing fluid is passed from saidretaining means at the initiation of the application of such processingfluid to such strip of photographic film, said dispensing opening beinglocated within said second compartment, said absorbing means beingpositioned in overlying relationship with portions of both said secondcompartment and said retaining means and being configured to expand intoportions of said first and second compartments subsequent to suchselective application of such processing fluid to such strip ofphotographic film to absorb processing fluid remaining within said firstand second compartments.
 9. The film handling cassette of claim 8 inwhich said absorbing means is configured so as to contact suchprocessing fluid within said second compartment prior to making contactwith such fluid within said first compartment, such remaining processingfluid absorbed by said absorbing means expanded within said secondcompartment being partially transferred to said absorbing meansoverlying said retaining means by the process of capillary attraction.10. The film handling cassette of claim 9 in which such means forretaining said quantity of processing fluid is a sealed container forcontaining such processing fluid, such sealed container being receivedand retained within said first compartment, said absorbing meansoverlying such sealed container within said first compartment andproviding a partial capillary attraction sink to the portion of saidabsorbing means expanded within said second compartment subsequent tothe termination of said fluid application.
 11. A film handling cassettecomprising: a housing configured to retain a strip of photographic film;film processing means including an applicator configured to receivemeans for retaining a quantity of processing fluid to be selectivelyapplied to such strip of photographic film subsequent to its exposure toprocess such film, said applicator including means defining an openingthrough which said processing fluid is applied to such strip ofphotographic film; and expansion means positioned relative to saidapplicator so as to contact said processing fluid during the applicationof said processing fluid to such film, said expansion means beingconfigured to expand into blocking association with said means definingan opening, and expansion delay means associated with said expansionmeans for delaying the expansion of said expansion means at least untilthe termination of such fluid application to prevent the processingfluid from passing through said opening defining means subsequent tosaid fluid application.
 12. The film handling cassette of claim 11 inwhich said applicator is configured having a first compartmentconfigured to receive said means for retaining such quantity ofprocessing fluid and a second compartment in which said opening definingmeans is located and into which such quantity of processing fluid ispassed from said retaining means at the initiation of such processingfluid application, said expansion means being located within selectportions of said second compartment and being configured to expand intosaid second compartment and into blocking association with said openingdefining means subsequent to such processing fluid application.
 13. Thefilm handling cassette of claim 12 in which said expansion means isfurther configured to expand into said second compartment and to absorbany excess processing fluid remaining in said second compartmentsubsequent to the termination of such processing fluid application. 14.The film handling cassette of claim 13 in which said expansion delaymeans is a chemical impregnated in said expansion means.
 15. The filmhandling cassette of claim 14 in which said expansion means is an opencell compressed sponge.
 16. A film handling cassette comprising: ahousing containing a strip of photographic film; processing meansincluding an applicator configured to receive means for retaining aquantity of processing fluid to be selectively applied to such strip ofphotographic film subsequent to its exposure, said applicator includingmeans defining a dispensing opening through which such processing fluidis applied to such strip of photographic film, such processing fluidbeing applied from said retaining means through said dispensing openingto such film; absorbing means positioned in the path of application ofsuch processing fluid and configured to absorb excess processing fluIdsubsequent to the completion of the selective application of suchprocessing fluid to such strip of photographic film, said absorbingmeans including means for delaying said absorbing means for absorbingsuch processing fluid during the application of such processing fluid tosuch strip of photographic film in which said absorbing means isconfigured and positioned relative to said path of application of suchprocessing fluid such that a portion of said absorbing means is indirect contact with such processing fluid during such selectiveapplication of such processing fluid to such strip of photographic film,said delaying means providing a time delay to the absorption of saidabsorbing means equal to at least the time between the initial contactof said absorbing means with such processing fluid and the terminationof such selective application of such processing fluid.
 17. The filmhandling cassette of claim 16 in which said delaying means is a chemicalimpregnated within said absorbing means, said chemical having a reactiontime with such processing fluid at least substantially equal to orgreater than the time necessary to selectively apply such processingfluid to such strip of photographic film.
 18. The film handling cassetteof claim 17 in which said chemical is a polymer.